Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-02
TRIAL FOR MURDER.
a cIsg THAT HXCITRs VERY GREAT
INTEREST.
An Indictment Qusshed and Again
Pound Some Particulars Of the
Laprston.Ruffn Eomiciee.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dlsontch.l
PETERsBuRG, VA, Aug. !, 1887.

n +
The trial of F. NJ. Langston (colored),
indicted for the murder OF Bussle Ruff
fin (colored). was commenced in the
Musings Court here this morning. The
interest manifested in the case was
/ shown by the crowd that packed the
courtroom and the greater number
V BIO could not gain admittance. Police
officers were stationed at the doors to
keep back The rush.
The prisoner is son OF John NJ.
Langston, president of the Virginia
Normal College, formerly United States
Minister to Hayti, and one OF the most
pro minent men OF his race in this coun-
inv. lie accompanied his son into the
courtroom, as did also brother OF the
prisoner, Arthur ID. Langston, who
came from st. Louis to attend the trial.
The prominence of the parties to
this unfortunate case has aroused the
universal interest of our colored pOpu-
lation as well as of the whites to a large
degree. Tie prisoner is reported to
have killed man in Washington be-
fore ne came to Petersburg to live.
Ont 4th OF April last, according to
the evidence ELECTED before the corO-
ner's jury, Langston and Eussie Ruiiin
had some words together in the formers
store. on Halifaxsireet Shortly after
ward Rufiin started up the street, when
he was followed and hailed by Lang
ston, VINO charged Rufin with having
taken his pipe. Witnesses stated. as
did also Ruiiin before nc died, that Emf
fin bed hardly denied the charge before
Laugston drew his pistol and shot him.
Lencston then walked away and surTen-
dortd himself, and has since beeninjail.
Tie ball entered Euhin's abdomen, per
loratng the intestlncs in several places.
The wounded man Was warned by ms
physicians that his case WAS desperate
and that The only hope for him would
he IN operation and the sowing mp OF
tie intes;;ncs that even no might die
under the operation. Ee submitted to
it, but was not henc.ited, and died on
Tie Cih. IL Is believed that the surgi-
cal operation Will play an important
pant III the trial. 1t is furthermore
believed that the truo facts OF tho quar-
rel between the prisoner and Ruiin
haye never yet been brought to light.
Ruilin was an active politician and
worked and voted uniformly with the
Democratic party. His family raised
money and engaged Ex-Governor VIII
liam L. Cameron to assist in the prose-
cution. Messrs. Alex. Hamilton and
". r. McHenney represent the pris-
Oucr.
he prisoner was arraigned With the
understanding between court and coun-
sci that me should be allowed to enter
two pleas. he therefore said neither
" guilty nor "nOt guilty wheu the
Gle read the Indictment against bin,
but though Ii, counsel pHt III 5he plea
flat Nr. il. ". COlli,T, tGc foreman OF
tie Grand Jury which found the indIct-
meut against him in April, Was mt taat
time and is now the owner. or part
owner and occupicr Of water cr.st-
mill. and Therefore, under the laW3 OF
Virginia, was inaapacitetel to serve az
4 grand Juror; Dy reason OF wlicn the
Indictment rs read was invalid Mr..
Collier was put upon the witnes5-stlnd
and stated that the fact as alleged WAS
true, be being owner in part Of the Ba-
sin grist-mill. No objection was made
by the prosecution against the plea,
which was sustained by the Court and
the indictment quashed This neces-
stated commencement of proceed
inps dc moro. 4 new indictment WAS
prepared and sent before the grand
Jury and tlue bill was again returned
to The Court.
II was thought from TIE publicity
that had been given {, the case that il
would be a difficult matter to secure
Jury. but it seems that in every com
nunity there are persons VINO do not
read the newspapers, or who, II they
do. DO not form or express their opin-
ions Of important eases likely to come
before the courts. Up to the closingof
thisllttcrfoartoenpersonso Gtoithe sew
cral veniros summoned bad been found
acceptable as jurors. Al animated con
tcst was made over some Of them, and
as parties were accepted or rejected the
Court foundit necessary TO supprcssthe
applause of sympathizeIs. 1t is be-
hevcd that the trial Of the case VIII con-
sumo The greater part OF the week, and
some very interesting Developments axe
expected during its progress.